4 Common Questions About Bleeding Gums

Posted April 12, 2016.

Most people are focused on trying to prevent tooth decay and often ignore their gums so it can be a bit of a shock if yours suddenly begin to bleed. So what should you do? It might be tempting to think they have somehow become injured, perhaps due to brushing too vigorously. It is worth checking to see if you are using a soft to medium bristled brush and the bristles should have rounded ends. It’s a common misconception that you need to brush your teeth quite hard to get them thoroughly clean, when in fact brushing your teeth too hard could cause your gums to become damaged and it’s just possible that this may be the cause of your bleeding gums. However it’s also likely that your gums are bleeding because they are infected.

Why Do Infected Gums Begin to Bleed?

Gum infections occur when bacterial levels in your mouth build up to such an extent that your gums can no longer fight the toxins produced by these bacteria. When your gums become infected it causes them to become inflamed, resulting in them beginning to look red and swollen and at this stage they may begin to bleed. While the obvious solution might seem not to brush your teeth for a few days to allow them to heal up, it’s the worst possible thing you could do for them. Instead it’s best to book an appointment with a periodontist to find out exactly what is wrong with your bleeding gums.

Bleeding Gums: Why Visit a Periodontist?

You do not need a referral from your general dentist to book an appointment with a good periodontal practice such as a D&D Periodontal Associates. By going to see a specialist, you can be assured of getting the correct diagnosis and the best possible range of treatment options for your bleeding gums. It’s important to act fast as having gums that bleed is often the first sign of early gum disease or gingivitis. If you can catch it at this stage then it’s entirely curable and it’s often quite easy to eliminate the infection by having your teeth professionally cleaned and by making sure you follow your periodontist’s instructions on home oral care. It’s quite likely that you may have been missing out certain areas when you brushed or flossed your teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and often some advice on brushing and flossing techniques can be extremely useful. Most people tend to use the same techniques for brushing and flossing that they learned as children from kids dentist and updating these skills can work wonders.

What if My Gums Have Been Bleeding for Quite a While?

If your bleeding gums have been there for quite a while then it’s even more urgent that you seek professional dental care as without prompt treatment it’s quite likely that a mild case of gingivitis will soon develop into periodontitis. This is much more serious and requires more sophisticated treatments, and unfortunately it may not always be possible to completely eradicate periodontitis. In this case you will need ongoing treatment to control this condition and to prevent it doing any further damage to your gums, teeth and to your general health.